Though bouncing up and down from the majors to the minors over the previous two years, Jay Gibbons found himself signing a minor-league contract with the Brewers in 2012 and starting his season in Double-A Huntsville. Milwaukee recently promoted him to Nashville, after hitting .316/.429/.421 in 24 games, and suddenly his power stroke has come to life.

Gibbons launched his fifth home run in his last nine games on Thursday evening for the Sounds. Only one has been of the non-solo variety, but the 35-year-old veteran is showing that he still has some pop in the bat.

Considering the organization has five legitimate outfield options at the big league level and have Logan Schafer and Caleb Gindl waiting in the wings, it seems rather unlikely that Gibbons will see any big league playing time this season. Still, veterans such as him serve valuable roles in a minor league system. They serve as mentors and examples for the younger players. They give advice, serve as a kind of on-the-field coach, and provide a supreme level of professionalism.

Jay Gibbons may not be in the Brewers’ organization for his bat, but he certainly has made his at-bats count as of late. Five home runs in nine games. That’s a serious power surge.